AN ALTERNATIVE APPROACH TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INTERVENTION
Traditional responses to domestic violence often rely on punishment and separation. While ensuring immediate safety remains DVIS’s highest priority, we also recognize that changing behavior requires more. This approach is not about overlooking harm, but rather strengthening accountability in service of real and lasting change.
The Circles of Peace program offers a restorative, survivor-centered alternative. Circles of Peace honors the voices of survivors, supports those who have caused harm, and creates pathways for repair. Through restorative circles, community involvement, and trauma-informed support, we aim to address harm at its roots and prevent future violence.
Although this program currently focuses on cases considered lower risk and lethality, our vision is broader. In the future, we hope to expand Circles of Peace to include criminal level domestic violence cases.
There is no cost to program participants. Groups meet for 18 weekly 90-minute sessions. Support with transportation is available.
PROGRAM GOALS
- Strengthen social supports for all participants
- Explore opportunity for repair while maintaining safety
- Address social disparities that limit access to care for those who have caused harm
- Interrupt cycles of harm and prevent future violence.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
We take into consideration a range of interconnected factors during screening and assessment including:
- History of intimate partner violence (IPV)
- Current or past criminal charges for IPV
- Level of lethality
- Overall level of risk, including both internal and external factors
- Program capacity and fit
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
This program is modeled after New York University (NYU) Center on Violence and Recovery’s Circles of Peace model – the nation’s only rigorously tested restorative justice program addressing domestic violence. Over time, Circles of Peace has evolved into an evidence-informed model with promising outcomes for survivors, those responsible for causing harm, and the broader community in three key jurisdictions: Arizona, Utah, and Vermont.*
QUESTIONS? REFERRALS?
Emma Barnett, LMSW
Circles of Peace Coordinator
918-508-2752 ebarnett@dvis.org
*Mills, L. G., Barocas, B., Butters, R. P., & Ariel, B. (2019). A randomized controlled trial of restorative justice-informed treatment for domestic violence crimes. Journal of Experimental Criminology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11292-019-09369-1